I got my test results and I am positive for everything...

Rachaelknatcal · Post by **Rachaelknatcal** » Tue Oct 04, 2016 4:42 pm

Hey everyone, I just wanted to ask something that had me confused last night. I ate a potato and have had no reaction, I actually feel better after eating that than sweet potatoes or other safe foods I've tried, but my entero lab results said I reacted to white potato...something else that's weird is before I got my results back, I was eating potatos almost every day and I think I remember feeling better then. Does that mean potatos are ok to eat? I'm my opinion they would be but my results say otherwise so I don't know what to do.

Post by **tex** » Tue Oct 04, 2016 8:28 pm

Rachael,

Those test results are relative (not absolute). If you have any sensitivity to a food (even if it's very slight), then the more of that food you eat, the higher your score is likely to be. But potatoes were ranked in the 1+ category, implying that they are probably a minimal problem (despite the fact that that you were eating them often). And if you read all of the information supplied with the test results you will see that even Dr. Fine acknowledges that it may be safe to eat some of those foods, especially those in the 1+ category.

My point is that if you had not been eating potatoes so often, they might have ended up in the "No reaction" category. As long as you don't eat them all day long, every day, there's a very good chance that they are safe for you.

There are no tests available for sweet potato, for example, so we don't really "know" that they are safe. That has to be determined by trial and error. A few members here do react to them.

Tex

Rachaelknatcal · Post by **Rachaelknatcal** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 8:34 pm

Thank you for the info, that's a lot of good stuff.
I'm definitely not doing so well lately, I thought I was making progress but I keep having bad stomach aches every single day. The only thing I'm eating is yams, turkey, I tried carrots (bad pain the whole day I tried these, I cooked them until they were super soft) I tried one regular potato, one banana (bad reaction) and I have had a small amount of pear juice about once a week. My stomach feels uneasy almost all the time and at least an hour of every day, sometimes more, I have really bad pain that makes me feel like I have to lay down or sit on the toilet. Because of this, I haven't been eating much, probably 3 or 4 times a day in small amounts, I've lost 16 pounds in the past month and a half. I'm still keeping up with the vitamin D3 and magnesium, and I've been having 1-3 bowel movements a day, all with pain and mucus... ? Somethings irritating me but I don't know what it is or what to do now.

Post by **tex** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 10:07 pm

You may just need time to heal. It takes time for the inflammation to diminish. Pain was an almost constant companion for me too, back when I was reacting. But it occurred less frequently as my gut healed, and eventually it disappeared.

You're on the right track. Most of us find that smaller meals, but more of them each day, are better than 2 or 3 large meals. Your body needs protein for healing, so starving is counterproductive. Your weight loss is due to 3 main issues:

1. Your ability to absorb nutrients is compromised because of the inflammation.

2. Your immune system is using a lot of energy to fight the inflammation.

3. You are probably eating less than normal, when you actually need to eat more because of nutrient loss and energy consumption.

We have to take life one day at a time when we are recovering, because progress can seem very slow, especially early on.

Tex

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 9:18 am

Hey All,

I'm following these threads closely. I just read the 22 pages of Gloria's journey under Diet and Medications as well. I need to go back to the drawing board and tighten down the hatch. My remission seems elusive and I can't maintain it despite bland eating plan. Now that I know I'm no longer SIgA deficient, I'm thinking of ordering the more conclusive Enterolab testing. My bad days are starting to out number the good ones (poop wise) and of course that makes me nervous.

Started food/feelings/supp. diary again to see if I can pin point a pattern. I had the MRT testing done 6 mo. ago but it didn't show very much reactivity, and the ones it did show I stay away from anyway. Right now I rotate beef, chicken, lamb, pork. also eat all squash, potatos, green beans, onions, carrots, mushrooms, parsnips, and turnips. I eat a lot of rice and rice cakes with minimal ingredients and the occasional almond butter. I just now cut out fruit ( I was having an apple 3 times a week) and dark chocolate rarely (never noticed issues with it). My bad habit is Simply Lays potato chips. Those are gonna have to go........

The good news is I feel so much more equipped to deal with the detective work now than I ever have. Before, the thought of it was so overwhelming and fearful I would just shut down. I feel this has A LOT to do with my minerals being replenished....and possibly being 2 1/2 years out. Acceptance comes and goes, and will always be a work in progress. I admire each and everyone of you. It takes unbelievable amounts of fortitude and strength to navigate this disease and maintain an attitude of gratitude. But boy, I sure have it for all of you guys that have been here for me. I'll keep you posted....

Big Love to all

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 11:08 am

good luck to you, Vanessa and Rachael! Keep us posted! Going to try parsnips, I've never had them before. Hope my market has them, I've never noticed. I eat cape cod kettle cooked waffle potato chips. Maybe you could try them. I just made a coconut bread and pumpkin muffins with almond flour. Thank God for duck eggs! I notice when I bake for myself, I start feeling better mentally. Pumpkin is my weakness and while others are enjoying those pumpkin spice lattes, I'll enjoy my ok tasting almond flour pumpkin bread

..

Are you having any trouble with allergies Vanessa? I'm awaiting winter for the first time in my life (i freeze in just 60 degree weather). My gut does really well then, so hoping my bladder does too

!

You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 12:05 pm

Hey Martha,

Thank you for the suggestions. I thought about making muffins, but then I don't know if I should try any flours while I'm still reacting....I would love a muffin for breakfast. Are the Cape Cod brand potato chips 100% GF. I suppose nothing really is. Its good to know what other people are snacking on that seems safe for them! I used to have allergies before MC but do not now. I've tried the anti histamine route without success, so I really don't suspect histamine problems. I still heed the warning and freeze all pre made meals. Time to pony up and make my own bone broth also. I botched it so bad the first time (don't ask) that I just use water and salt in my stews. I've been enjoying the cooler weather because I sleep the best if it is extremely cold in the room and not conducive to human health

with lots of blankies of course.

Heres to healthy guts and bladders!

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 2:08 pm

making high protein type muffins is a good breakfast option

in the scheme of the healing journey, you are only 2-3 monthsish post resolving magnesium deficiency. Depending on how long you were magnesium deficient it will take time for the body to 'catch up' type thing (does this make sense)

now your body has the right nutrients it is catching up on clearing toxins/excess metals. and keep in mind the level of toxins would have increased while you had leaky gut. and like the MC healing journey, this takes time. keep reminding yourself, progress not perfection.

bone broth is a fantastic option at this stage of the journey... good luck with your next attempt.

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 2:23 pm

Gabes,

I agree about clearing the toxins and heavy metals. It is so bizarre that you can give your best friend sage advice but giving it to yourself seems impossible. If someone else wrote my post I would be telling them the same thing.... I'll look into a high protein muffin recipe. I don't seem to react to almond or coconut, so it should be fairly easy.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 3:12 pm

you are being you, which is great, with each improvement we want to move onto the next thing and improve more...
(and the exact same thing happens with me, discussions here resonate with what is happening to me and I am reminded of my own advice!!)

re the muffins once you make your bone broth, make savoury type ones using precooked safe meats and use some of the bone broth

Post by **tex** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 3:20 pm

Vanessa wrote:I used to have allergies before MC but do not now.

Been there, done that. My allergies also disappeared while I was reacting. Don't worry, they'll be back after your gut heals.

After your MC settles down, your immune system will begin to notice the smaller issues again, such as pollen allergies.

Tex

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 3:43 pm

Hmmm meat muffins. That actually sounds delicious. I still have so much to learn.

And I never thought I would look forward to the day my allergies start up again...

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 5:54 pm

The nice thing about almond flour muffins is they have a good amount of magnesium, protein and are very low in carbohydrates. I eat three of them a day, and I don't use eggs. My recipe is very plain and low in sugar, but I'm just happy to have something to eat. I also make very plain cookies using almond flour, baking soda, maple syrup and almond oil. I get between 550-600 mg. magnesium from my diet. Before I added corn pasta back into my diet, I made almond flour tortillas. Now, I'm able to eat corn tortillas.

Gloria

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sun Oct 09, 2016 7:01 am

Gloria,

Thanks for chiming in! Reading your journey brought me to tears because I see so much of myself in your story! I'm very lucky that I have not had to use Entocort but some days I think I'm on my way to it and I'm very resistant to that thought! I've tried searching for a good muffin recipe and can't really find one. Would you be willing to post one in Dee's Kitchen or PM me with your muffin and cookie recipe? I've never been much of a cook and could use the advice

It is so wonderful to see you traveling and doing things after everything you've been through. Thanks for your latest update!

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sun Oct 09, 2016 12:23 pm

Gloria,
Those almond cookies and almond tortillas sound really good. Are the recipes posted in Dees kitchen? I've had to say goodbye to the enjoy life cookies. Sorry I just saw where Vanessa asked the same question.